Home of the
Blue Streaks
Table of Contents
Harrisonburg High School Resources ........................................................................ 3
Getting Started .............................................................................................................. 4
Options after High School ........................................................................................... 5
College Entrance Exams ................................................................................................ 8
Campus Visits .................................................................................................................. 11
College Essay ................................................................................................................. 12
Letter of Recommendation......................................................................................... 13
Activities Resume ......................................................................................................... 14
Applying for College ..................................................................................................... 15
Paying for College ......................................................................................................... 16
Information for Athletes ........................................................................................... 18
Information for Learning Disabled .......................................................................... 19
Tips for College Success ............................................................................................ 22
College Application Grid .............................................................................................. 23
College Research Grid ................................................................................................. 24
2
Harrisonburg High School Resources
Counseling Department
Counseling Director: Amy Powers
Counselor 9th- 12th A-E: Tim Meyers
Counselor 9th – 12th F-L: Lauren Kershner
Counselor 9th- 12th M-R: Dave Hoover
Counselor 9th- 12th S-Z: Rachel Linden
Counseling Secretary: Veronica Ortiz
Registrar: Marcia Lamphier
Home-School Liaison: Rick Castaneda
Home-School Liaison: Yolanda Blake
James Madison University Faculty in Residence
Dr. Bill O’Meara: Guidance Career Center
Career Coach
Cheryl Logan, Room 456
Harrisonburg High School Career Center
This resource is located in the Guidance Office and has much of the information
you may need to start your college search. There are multiple college information books
to help you navigate your search. There is also information on college exams (such as the
SAT and ACT), financial aid information, and career information. Whether you are
searching for a school, exploring careers, seeking financial aid, or even just looking to
use a computer to explore online resources, the Career Center has resources for you!
Here are some of the resources the career center has to offer:
College Board Book Series:
- 2009 College Handbook
- 2009 Book of Majors
- 2009 Getting Financial Aid
- Scholarship Handbook
Undergraduate Catalogs (over 50) including:
- James Madison University
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Bridgewater College
- Virginia Tech
- Duke University
- University of Pennsylvania
3
Getting Started
Family Conversation
In the college decision process your family will play an important role. Make sure to sit
down and discuss financial resources. Here are a few questions to consider:
- Will your parents help to pay for school?
- Will you be commuting to school or living there?
- If you live there how far are you willing to travel?
- If you are commuting, what transportation will be used?
- Will you need to have a job while at college?
These are all important questions that should be answered before you move forward.
Your Guidance Counselor
One of the best resources available to you in the college decision process is your
guidance counselor. Their knowledge of local, state, and out of state schools is a
priceless resource. They also serve as a resource for recommendations, reviewing
resumes, and even editing at college essays. Your counselor has likely worked with many
of the schools you may be applying to and can offer you sound advice. Make sure to
develop a relationship with your counselor and keep them updated with where you are in
the college process. Any questions or concerns you may have can be brought to your
counselor at any time.
Self-Assessment
The most important person in this process is YOU. Make sure to keep this in mind. Make
your own decision. It is important to evaluate what you actually want. Here is a good
place to start:
- What majors are you interested in?
- What kind of campus would you like?
- Do you want to commute to school?
- What class sizes are you comfortable with?
- What kind of extracurricular activities interest you?
- How large of a school are you looking for?
Once you can answer these questions you will be able to narrow down your college search
and find a school that fits you.
4
Some Options After High School
Employment
Some students may want to explore employment after high school as opposed to college.
This could be a great time to get work experience in a field related to what you might
want to pursue as a career, or to save money to pay for college. Consider taking classes
at a community college while working as well.
Military
Information on service after high school is available in the Career Center. Also look into
ROTC programs at colleges/universities to receive scholarship money. Be aware that
there are reserve opportunities in addition to full-time enlistment. Here are some
websites to explore:
www.goarmy.com
www.navy.com
www.af.mil
www.uscg.mil
www.marines.com
www.1800goguard.com
Peacecorps/Americorps
If you are interested in doing service work in other parts of the U.S. or world this may
be an option for you. There is a high need for these volunteers and it can be a very
rewarding experience. Generally, your basic living expenses will be covered and there
are set term lengths; for example, Americorps positions are 10 months to one year.
www.peacecorps.gov
www.americorps.org
Community Colleges
These low cost commuter schools offer two year degrees in many programs. There are
opportunities and resources to transfer to four year schools after graduation. Here are
some reasons a Community College might be right for you:
1. Your career requires some training, but not a four-year degree
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2.
3.
4.
5.
You want to explore options before deciding on a specific career path
You want to save money for a four-year school
You want the personal attention that small classes offer
You want to live at home and continue to work
Blue Ridge Community College
Located in nearby Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge offers many opportunities. There is an Open
House for the college in April and enrollment begins April 7. You do not need to take
SAT tests or have a minimum grade point average to be admitted to BRCC. You will need
to take the College Preparedness Test which will help place you in the correct classes.
BRCC has transfer credit agreements with many Virginia schools including Bridgewater,
James Madison University, and Virginia Tech. BRCC offers programs in areas such as:
- Accounting
- Administration of Justice
- Automotive Analysis and Repair
- Aviation Maintenance Technology
- Business Management
- Information Systems Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Nursing
- Veterinary Technology
If you are not interested in pursuing an Associate’s Degree, you can also take a few
courses in a specific field and complete a certificate program. Some of the certificate
programs at BRCC include:
- Automobile Dealer- Operator Licensing
- Commercial Driving
- Health Sciences
- Internet/Web Development Courses
- Medical Office Assistant
These are great options to explore to save money, gain work experience, stay close to
home, and prepare for your future.
6
Four-Year College/University
Four-year colleges and universities have specific admission requirements. A completed
application usually includes the application, an application fee, official test scores
(SAT/ACT), an official transcript, an essay or personal statement, and a letter(s) of
recommendation. Most colleges expect students to meet similar requirements as the
advanced studies diploma and to challenge themselves with honors, AP or dual enrolled
courses when possible. Average GPAs and test scores vary by school.
Online College Searches
Taking part in online research is a tremendous resource for prospective students. There
are a number of sites that offer great information on finding the right college,
narrowing down career options, tips for college applications, SAT and ACT preparation,
and more. There are even sites that specifically apply to Virginia. Also, be sure to check
the websites of the schools you are interested in. It will help you get a better feel for
the school and if you cannot visit, there are always virtual tours. Here are a few sites to
explore to get you started:
www.collegeboard.com
www.princetonreview.com
www.collegeview.com
www.rureadyvirginia.com
www.virginiamentor.com
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College Entrance Exams
PSAT: Prelimary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
This test is taken during your junior year with the purpose of indicating what areas you
should practice before taking the SAT. It is not a requirement for college admission,
but it also allows you to familiarize yourself with the format and type of questions that
the SAT includes. The National Merit Scholarship program selects 16,000 semi-finalists
from across the country, the top 1% of scores on the test. These semi-finalists become
finalists upon completing an application and receiving SAT scores that confirm their
proficiency.
SAT or ACT?
Before we go into the differences between the tests, be aware that almost every school
will accept either the SAT or the ACT for the standardized test requirement. In
certain instances, a student may score higher on one exam as opposed to the other. If
possible, try to take both exams.
ACT- American College Test Program
www.actstudent.org/
This test is designed to measure high order thinking taught in a high school curriculum.
The test includes four sections: reading, writing, mathematics, and science. You receive
five scores, one for each section and a comprehensive score. This comprehensive score
ranges from 1 to 36.
SAT Reasoning Test
www.collegeboard.com
The SAT now includes critical reading, math, and writing components. Each section is
scored on a range from 200-800. Your total score is out of 2400.
SAT Subject Tests
www.collegeboard.com
These tests last about one hour and test your knowledge in a particular area. Tests are
offered in American History, Biology, Chemistry, World History, French, German,
Hebrew, Latin, Literature, Mathematics Level IC, Mathematics Level IIC, Physics,
Spanish, and Italian. Some of the more competitive schools require these tests so make
sure to look into what schools on your list require them.
AP Tests
www.collegeboard.com/testing
Advanced Placement test scores will not affect your acceptance to a college or
university. By taking these tests it shows that you have challenged yourself in high
school. If you score at the appropriate level, many schools will give you credit for
courses. If you need AP scores to be sent to a school, fill out an AP Score Release form
in the Guidance office.
8
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
www.toefl.org
This exam is an online based test to gauge your ability to communicate in English in
colleges and universities. The scores are accepted by more than 6,000 institutions in
more than 130 countries. If English is not your first language, you may be required to
submit TOEFL scores for university admissions.
ACT/SAT Comparison Chart
ACT
ACT Assessment
SAT
Scholastic Assessment Test
Test Fee
$30.00- Basic Fee
$44.50 with Writing Test
$45.00
Test Purpose
Measures academic achievement
in English, Math, Reading, and
Science reasoning.
Test Content
English 25%
Mathematics 25%
Reading 25%
Science 25%
Written Essay (Optional)
Scoring
Scores based on number of
correct answers. No penalty
for guessing.
Scoring Scale
English 1-36
Mathematic 1-36
Reading 1-36
Science Reasoning 1-36
Designed to measure verbal
and numerical reasoning, and
writing ability.
Verbal 33%
Mathematic 33%
Writing 33%
Scores adjusted for guessing.
Most incorrect responses
carry a penalty of one-third
or one-quarter of a point.
SAT Total
600-2400
(Sum of three test areas)
Harrisonburg High School CEEB Code: 471035
(You will need this code to register)
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Wondering how your scores match up?
SAT & ACT Conversion Chart
ACT
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
SAT (Reading and Math)
1600
1560-1590
1510-1550
1460-1500
1410-1450
1360-1400
1320-1350
1280-1310
1240-1270
1210-1230
1170-1200
1130-1160
1090-1120
1060-1080
1020-1050
980-1010
940-970
900-930
860-890
810-850
760-800
710-750
660-700
590-650
520-580
500-510
SAT (Reading, Math, and Writing)
2400
2340
2260
2190
2130
2040
1980
1920
1860
1820
1760
1700
1650
1590
1530
1500
1410
1350
1290
1210
1140
1060
1000
900
780
750
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The Campus Visit
Online searches and pictures can only tell you so much about a college. Stepping foot
onto a campus is by far the best way to get a feel for a school. Take advantage of the
many local schools in the area by visiting as many as possible.
Here are some questions you might want to have answered:
1. What is the largest class size?
2. Who teaches the classes? (Graduate Assistants or Professors?)
3. What is the dorm life like?
4. How is the food?
5. What percentage of students study abroad?
6. What is the percentage of Greek life?
7. What goes on during weekends? Do many students leave campus?
8. What are some problems or shortcomings of the school?
9. Is the school diverse?
10. What are the most popular majors?
11. Ask the tour guide why they chose the school.
12. Decide if you can picture yourself on that campus.
13. What types of resources are available on campus (i.e. writing labs, tutoring, etc.)?
14. What types of scholarships are available to students?
15. What percentage of students receives financial aid?
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The College Essay
The College Essay can be the most important part of your application. These essays
allow you to express the things most important to you.
In the essay you can describe events, thoughts, or personal characteristics that would
not appear anywhere else on the application. Don’t just rewrite your activities sheet.
One thing to keep in mind is that this is essentially a first impression. Some things that
are looked for are enthusiasm, intelligence, leadership, maturity, writing ability,
perseverance and above all, honesty and sincerity. A good essay conveys the writer as a
real and valuable person; one worth knowing.
Essay
Do:









Do’s and Don’ts
Plan Ahead: leave time for revisions
Tell the Truth
Tie yourself to the college: Why you are interested in attending
Read directions carefully: Make sure you answer the assigned question (If there
is one)
Be positive
Emphasize what you have learned
Write about something unique to you
Be concise and be clear
Be detailed
Don’t
 Force it: trying too hard to be funny, cute, sad, or silly can hurt your essay
 Be redundant: show something that does not appear anywhere else in the
application
 Worry about trick questions
 Be afraid to confess your anxieties: You aren’t expected to be perfect
 Write pages and pages: don’t ramble on without a purpose (Be mindful or word and
page limits)
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How to Obtain a Letter of Recommendation
Many colleges ask for a recommendation letter from a teacher or someone who can
speak to your character, accomplishments and academic strengths. Here are some tips
to get a recommendation:
1. Choose carefully. Just because you earned a good grade in the class does not
mean they are the best one to write a recommendation.
2. Be sure to ask if they can write a “good” letter of recommendation for you.
3. Request politely and provide a written request including your resume or list of
activities and the deadline for submission. If you want the teacher to send it
directly to the college, please provide an addressed, stamped envelope.
4. Request early in the process (usually 2 weeks to a month before the deadline.)
5. Be clear with the teacher, stating exactly what you want
6. Thank the teacher graciously. A thank you note after the letters are made is
appreciated.
7. Inform the teacher of the outcome.
(From www.insidehighered.com)
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Activities Resume
Students who have participated in many school and community activities often do not
have room on the application to fit them all. Therefore, they will write a resume on a
separate page. Writing “see attached” in the activities section is usually sufficient.
Here is an example of a resume page:
Name_________________________________
School
Grades
Responsibilities
School Newspaper
Scholarship Fund
Basketball
Softball
9,10,11,12
9,10
9
9,10,11,12
Soccer
Band
Financial Planning Night
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10,11,12
12
Writer
Raised money for school scholarship
Junior Varsity, guard
Junior Varsity, pitcher
Varsity, third base
Varsity, goalie
Saxophone
Hostess
10,11,12
9,10,11,12
11,12
Weekly Volunteer
Yearly participant
Served on fundraising committee
10,11,12
9,10,11
Summer Camp Counselor
Supervision of Children
Community
Mercy House
Breast Cancer Walk
Relay for Life
Employment
Shenandoah Day Camp
Babysitting
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Applying for College
College applications usually can be started as early as September of your senior
year. Most applications can be submitted online or in paper form. You can either send
away for an application or download a copy from the school’s website.
Applying online is sometimes more convenient because of the speed at which it is
received by the school. When applying online, it may be a good idea to go over each part
of the application with your counselor before you send it off to your school.
Types of Applications:
Early Decision
Under this plan a student applies to his/her first choice college early in the fall
(usually by November 1, November 15, or December 1). If accepted, the student agrees
by contract to enter the college if admitted. Upon acceptance, the student must
withdraw their applications at other colleges.
This is a binding commitment to the school that cannot be broken. If denied early
decision, usually colleges will defer the student to regular admission.
Early Action
This follows the same application/notification timeline as Early Decision but does
not obligate the candidate to accept the offer of admission. Students can apply to other
colleges and do not have to make a decision until the spring.
Rolling Admission
A college using Rolling Admission reviews applications as they are received and
generally returns decisions within 3 to 6 weeks after review. When applying to schools
like this, it is important to apply early. As the admissions process continues, the school
becomes more competitive with fewer spots to fill.
Regular Admission
Students submit the application by a specified date. Decision letters are sent out
accordingly from the school and the decision deadline is usually by May 1, just like the
early action and rolling admission decisions.
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Paying for College
For many students paying for college is as much of an obstacle as getting into
their top school. Here are some options for getting financial assistance.
College Based Scholarships
Most colleges set aside a specific amount of money to entice students to come to
their school. These scholarships generally are merit and need based, but there are also
programs that save money for a special talent such as art, music, theater, and athletics.
Make sure to look into the scholarship opportunities at the schools you are applying to.
Some schools automatically place their students in the applicant pool for scholarships,
whereas other schools require a separate application.
Community and Business Sponsored Scholarships
Many large corporations and organizations offer scholarships. They are very
competitive but attainable. Students generally have to complete an application,
sometimes accompanied by an essay. There are many web-based search engines for
these types of scholarships. The most common is www.fastweb.com . This site contains a
list of 400,000 scholarships.
Be sure to check the Harrisonburg High School Scholarship file in the Career
Center. There are many local and national scholarship opportunities to take advantage
of. It is updated regularly and a list of opportunities is e-mailed to parents. To be
added to this e-mail list, please contact: Beverly Sturm bsturm@harrisonburg.k12.va.us.
Financial Aid
Money is always available to help you pay for school. Just because a school is out
of your price range, don’t discount it. Financial aid can come in several forms:
- grants and scholarships, which don’t have to be repaid
- loans which generally carry low interest and are repaid upon graduation
- employment, usually 10 to 15 hours per week
Income, family size, number of dependents in school at the same time, mortgages,
emergency expenses, etc, are all factors which influence a family’s ability to meet
college costs. Here are some steps to apply for Financial Aid:
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
o To be completed between January 1 and March 1
o Apply for pin number before filling out FAFSA (www.pin.ed.gov)
 March is usually priority filing for many schools
 The earlier you file these forms, the more money you may be
eligible to receive
o Financial information can be estimated based on the previous year
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-
Financial aid must be applied for each year
Changes in your family situation may affect your ability to receive aid
After submitting your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).
Check this document to make sure that the information is correct.
The colleges/universities you have been accepted to should send you a
financial aid package outlining what you will receive should you decide to enroll
there. Compare this information and determine what you can afford.
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Information for Athletes
NCAA Clearinghouse
In order to be eligible to compete as a Division I or II athlete you must be cleared.
Visit www.ncaa.org for all the information you need. There are required classes to take,
necessary GPA and SAT requirements, and a Student Release form. The Student
Release form is available at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and should be completed after
your junior year.
For the class of 2008: Division I only -- 16 core courses
If you plan to enter college in 2008 or after, you will need to present 16 core courses in
the following breakdown:
4 years of English
3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science (one must be a lab science)
1 year of additional English, math or science
2 years of social studies
4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from foreign language,
nondoctrinal religion or philosophy)
Highlights:
 Plus and minus grades do not count
 Every athlete must complete the NACC Amateurism Certification
 All SAT and ACT scores must be reported from the testing agency
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Information for Students with Disabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
As a student with a disability leaving high school and entering postsecondary education, will
I see differences in my rights and how they are addressed?
Yes. Unlike your high school, your postsecondary school is not required to provide free
appropriate public education (FAPE). Rather, your postsecondary school is required to provide
appropriate academic adjustments as necessary to ensure that it does not discriminate on the
basis of disability.
May a postsecondary school deny my admission because I have a disability?
No. If you meet the essential requirements for admission, a postsecondary school may not
deny your admission simply because you have a disability.
Do I have to inform a postsecondary school that I have a disability?
No. However, if you want the school to provide an academic adjustment, you must identify
yourself as having a disability. Likewise, you should let the school know about your disability if
you want to ensure that you are assigned to accessible facilities. In any event, your disclosure
of a disability is always voluntary.
What academic adjustments must a postsecondary school provide?
The appropriate academic adjustment must be determined based on your disability and
individual needs. Academic adjustments may include auxiliary aids and modifications to
academic requirements as are necessary to ensure equal educational opportunity. Examples of
such adjustments are arranging for priority registration; reducing a course load; substituting
one course for another; providing note takers, recording devices, sign language interpreters,
extended time for testing and, if telephones are provided in dorm rooms, a TTY in your dorm
room; and equipping school computers with screen-reading, voice recognition or other adaptive
software or hardware. In providing an academic adjustment, your postsecondary school is not
required to lower or effect substantial modifications to essential requirements. For example,
although your school may be required to provide extended testing time, it is not required to
change the substantive content of the test. In addition, your postsecondary school does not
have to make modifications that would fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program
or activity or would result in undue financial or administrative burdens. Finally, your
postsecondary school does not have to provide personal attendants, individually prescribed
devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature,
such as tutoring and typing.
If I want an academic adjustment, what must I do?
You must inform the school that you have a disability and need an academic adjustment.
Unlike your school district, your postsecondary school is not required to identify you as having
a disability or assess your needs. Your postsecondary school may require you to follow
reasonable procedures to request an academic adjustment. You are responsible for knowing
and following these procedures. Postsecondary schools usually include, in their publications
providing general information, information on the procedures and contacts for requesting an
academic adjustment. Such publications include recruitment materials, catalogs and student
handbooks, and are often available on school Web sites. Many schools also have staff whose
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purpose is to assist students with disabilities. If you are unable to locate the procedures, ask
a school official, such as an admissions officer or counselor.
When should I request an academic adjustment?
Although you may request an academic adjustment from your postsecondary school at any
time, you should request it as early as possible. Some academic adjustments may take more
time to provide than others. You should follow your school’s procedures to ensure that your
school has enough time to review your request and provide an appropriate academic
adjustment.
Do I have to prove that I have a disability to obtain an academic adjustment?
Generally, yes. Your school will probably require you to provide documentation that shows you
have a current disability and need an academic adjustment.
What documentation should I provide?
Schools may set reasonable standards for documentation. Some schools require more
documentation than others. They may require you to provide documentation prepared by an
appropriate professional, such as a medical doctor, psychologist or other qualified
diagnostician. The required documentation may include one or more of the following: a
diagnosis of your current disability; the date of the diagnosis; how the diagnosis was reached;
the credentials of the professional; how your disability affects a major life activity; and how
the disability affects your academic performance. The documentation should provide enough
information for you and your school to decide what is an appropriate academic adjustment.
Although an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, if you have one, may
help identify services that have been effective for you, it generally is not sufficient
documentation. This is because postsecondary education presents different demands than
high school education, and what you need to meet these new demands may be different. Also
in some cases, the nature of a disability may change. If the documentation that you have
does not meet the postsecondary school’s requirements, a school official should tell you in a
timely manner what additional documentation you need to provide. You may need a new
evaluation in order to provide the required documentation.
Who has to pay for a new evaluation?
Neither your high school nor your postsecondary school is required to conduct or pay for a
new evaluation to document your disability and need for an academic adjustment. This may
mean that you have to pay or find funding to pay an appropriate professional for an evaluation.
Once the school has received the necessary documentation from me, what should I expect?
The school will review your request in light of the essential requirements for the relevant
program to help determine an appropriate academic adjustment. It is important to remember
that the school is not required to lower or waive essential requirements. If you have
requested a specific academic adjustment, the school may offer that academic adjustment or
an alternative one if the alternative would also be effective. The school may also conduct its
own evaluation of your disability and needs at its own expense. You should expect your school
to work with you in an interactive process to identify an appropriate academic adjustment.
Unlike the experience you may have had in high school, however, do not expect your
postsecondary school to invite your parents to participate in the process or to develop an IEP
for you.
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May a postsecondary school charge me for providing an academic adjustment?
No. Furthermore, it may not charge students with disabilities more for participating in its
programs or activities than it charges students who do not have disabilities.
What can I do if I believe the school is discriminating against me?
Practically every postsecondary school must have a person—frequently called the Section 504
Coordinator, ADA Coordinator, or Disability Services Coordinator—– who coordinates the
school’s compliance with Section 504 or Title II or both laws. You may contact this person for
information about how to address your concerns.
If you would like more information about the responsibilities of postsecondary schools to
students with disabilities, read the OCR brochure Auxiliary Aids and Services for
Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Higher Education's Obligations Under Section 504
and Title II of the ADA. You may obtain a copy at http://www.ed.gov/ocr/docs/auxaids.html.
Students with disabilities who know their rights and responsibilities are much better equipped
to succeed in postsecondary school. We encourage you to work with the staff at your school
because they, too, want you to succeed. Seek the support of family, friends and fellow
students, including those with disabilities. Know your talents and capitalize on them, and
believe in yourself as you embrace new challenges in your education.
This information was included with permission from: U.S. Department of Education, Office for
Civil Rights, Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights
and Responsibilities, Washington, D.C., 2007.
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Tips for College Success
Classes:
- Attend all classes.
o It does not matter what the attendance policy is
- Buy your books.
o Whether you buy them new or used, make sure you get them
- Do your homework.
o Make sure you complete all assignments on time and keep up with
readings
- Use your professors as a resource.
o Develop relationships with professors and seek their advice
o Visit their office during office hours if you have questions/concerns
- Study effectively.
o Don’t Cram
 Take study breaks and study over the course of the week
 Don’t wait until just before the test to study
o Use Study Groups
o Study in a quiet environment in which you feel relaxed
Personal:
- Get involved!
o You will start to feel more a part of your campus if you become involved
in extra-curricular activities.
- Manage your time.
o You will be in class a lot less than in high school, so make sure to use
your time effectively
 Do homework
 Spend time with friends
 Take time for yourself
o Work before play
- Eat and sleep well.
o You are on your own so be sure to take care of yourself
- Stay organized.
o Purchase a planner!
 Write down all assignments and tests
 Keep track of extra-curricular activities
 Be mindful of campus events you wish to attend
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College Application Grid
College 1
College 2
College 3
College 4
College 5
Application
deadline
Application
Requirements
SAT/ACT
scores
submitted
Transcripts
sent (submitted
Transcript Request
Form to Guidance)
Letters of
Recommendation
(From who and what
deadline you gave them)
Submitted
FAFSA Form
23
College Research Grid
College
Location
Number of
Students
Tuition, Room
and Board
Mean SAT
Score
Mean ACT
Score
Majors I am interested
in
24